Information for Parents

Help Your Child Succeed - Study Skills

Keep files or binders at home for each class. In the files put old handouts. quizzes, tests, homework, reports, etc. Use these papers to help your child review when it's time for a test.

Use a large 3-ring binder. Separate each class into different sections. Keep each classes notes in a binder. Make sure to date each day's notes. If a day is missed, make sure to get a copy of notes from a friend.

Remind your child that listening is very important in succeeding in school.

Make sure to sit where you can see and hear well.

Concentrate on what the teacher is saying.

Don't talk or listen to friends when the teacher is talking.

Don't daydream, but focus on what is happening in class.

Remind your child of good note taking.

Date each day's notes. Include a title, if the lesson has one.

Make special marks next to anything the teacher says is important. (This might be on a test!)

Listen for main ideas, important words and lists.

Write down everything the teacher puts on the board.

Put a question mark next to anything you don't understand and after class, ask your teacher about it.

Be ready to take notes at the beginning of class and continue until the end of class.

Read over the notes from yesterday's class before today's class.

Give your child reading tips.

Know WHY you are reading. Is it to follow a story? Learn facts? If your teacher has given you some question to answer, review them BEFORE reading the assignment.

Look up new words.

Take short breaks to keep your concentration fresh.

Slow down in tougher sections.

Re-read what you don't understand. If you're still confused, put a question mark in the margin or put a post-it note on the page. Then, ask a friend or the teacher for help.

Help your child with class discussion tips.

Before class, write down a question or two about the subject that is being discussed. Ask the question in class. This shows the teacher you've done the assignment and thought about it too.

During a class discussion, think of questions you may have about what people are saying and ask.

Add to what someone else says. Sometimes, what one person says will give4 you an idea that can add to the discussions.

Give your opinion. Opinions are neither right nor wrong, but they are worth sharing.

Relate your own experience to the discussion. You don't have to give your life story, but sharing a personal experience can make a class discussion seem more real.

Be alert for key words like "never," "always" and "sometimes" in a question. Read these questions extra carefully.

Oklahoma's Promise

The Oklahoma Legislature has set up a unique program for 8th, 9th, and 10th grade students that will help pay for their college education if their family's income is $50,000 per year or less. The program is Oklahoma's Promise -- OHLAP.

But college isn't easy. So to make sure students get ready for college while they're still in high school, the program requires students to take certain high school courses. They will have to pass those courses and keep up their grades. And besides staying on top of the books, students will also have to show that they're in control outside the classroom. That means staying away from trouble like gangs, drugs and alcohol. In short, the student promises to prepare academically for college and stay out of trouble, and in return, the state of Oklahoma promises to help pay the student's college tuition.www.okhighered.org

Hotlines

Childhelp, National Child Abuse Hotline:800-4-A-CHILD- Childhelp is one of the largest and oldest national, non-profit organizations dedicated to the treatment, prevention and research of child abuse and neglect. Provides multilingual crisis intervention and professional counseling on child abuse.

Boys Town National Hotline:800-448-1833- For children and parents in any type of personal crisis. Trained counselors will provide help in abusive relationships, parent-child conflicts, pregnancy, runaway youth, suicide, physical and sexual abuse.

National Runaway Hotline:800-621-4000- Provides service for intervention and travel assistance to runaways. Provides referrals to shelters nationwide. Relays messages to set up conference calls to parents at the request of the child.

National Youth Crisis Hotline:800-442-HOPE- Provides service for children and youth who are abused, suicidal, chemically dependent, depressed over family or school problems, runaway or abandoned.

National Domestic Abuse Hotline:800-799-SAFE- Provides crisis intervention, information about domestic violence and referrals to local service providers to victims of domestic violence and those calling on their behalf.

Covenant House Hotline:800-999-9999- Crisis line for youth, teens, and families. Locally based referrals throughout the United States. Help for youth and parents regarding drugs, abuse, homelessness, runaway children and message relays.

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